Dragon 1/35 Sd.Kfz.166 Stu.Pz.IV “Brummbar” Early Production w/Zimmerit | 6596 Dragon

Features:

– Unique radial Zimmerit pattern pattern on the front replicate the real vehicle
– Two options of exhaust muffler types available
– Side-skirt armor produced to scale thickness in metal
– StuH. 43/1 L/12 main gun with slide-molded barrel
– Rifling inside gun barrel authentically recreated
– One-piece fighting compartment made by 4-directional slide mold; w/vision port for Brummba”r Early
– 2-directional slide-molded lower hull w/Zimmierit on both sides
– Engine hatches can be assembled open/closed
– Photo-etched part for engine-deck exhaust grill
– Periscope made from clear plastic parts
– Fully detailed gun w/breech assembly
– Gunner’s seat w/realistic texture
– Accurately reproduced ball-shaped mantlet and gun mount
– Assembly options provided for fighting compartment hatches
– Interior detail such as hatch supporting arms and scissors provided
– 40cm Magic Tracks w/great details
– Dimensionally correct road wheels
– Road wheels, sprockets, idlers and return rollers authentically reproduced

Dragon has already released a 1/35 scale Mid-Production variant of the German Brummba”r, and it has been rapturously received thanks to its exquisite detail. Dragon is now following up with an Early Production version, and it is equally well endowed. A total of 60 early vehicles began rolling off the production line in November 1943, and they are easily identified by the lack of a machinegun in the glacis plate. Unfortunately, this also made them easy prey for tank-killer detachments. These early vehicles were crewed by four men, rather than the five of later vehicles. The driver’s position had the Fahrersehklappe 80 vision port from the Tiger I. These early vehicles were built until December 1943 but most were lost during the Battles of Kursk and Kharkov. Zimmerit appeared on all Brummba”r vehicles built up till September 1944.

Dragon’s 1/35 scale creation features all these typical characteristics of an Early-Production Brummba”r. The kit features new parts with an extremely realistic-looking zimmerit coating that comes straight from the hands of a master craftsman. The accurate fighting compartment is made from a 4-directional slide mold in order to make it a one-piece component. This eases construction and saves assembly time for modelers, as well as ensuring Dragon’s patented zimmerit technique is sharply represented. Zimmerit is not the only texture present on this model, for even the gunner’s seat is given an authentic degree of texturing! The side-skirt armor is provided in metal to achieve scale thickness. This is a finely detailed kit, and with the zimmerit already molded on, it is a breeze for modelers to assemble realistically.